Forsberg leads 3 Stars of the Week

NEW YORK - - Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg, San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson and Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Antti Raanta have been named the NHL's "Three Stars" for the week ending Jan. 1.

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FIRST STAR - FILIP FORSBERG, LW, NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Forsberg led the NHL in goals (5) and points (t-7) across three contests (5-2-7) to power the Predators (15-14-6, 36 points) to a 1-1-1 week. He scored once in a 3-2 loss to the Dallas Stars Dec. 27. Forsberg then registered back-to-back three-point performances, collecting 1-2-3 in a 6-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks Dec. 30 and potting his eighth career hat trick (including his 500th career point and the tying goal at 19:55 of the third period) in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights Dec. 31. It marked the second time in Forsberg's career (601 GP) that he has posted three points in consecutive team games, following a three-game run from Feb. 21-25, 2017 (7-2-9). The 28-year-old Forsberg, who established career highs in goals (42), assists (42) and points (84) in 2021-22, currently tops Nashville in both goals (14) and points (32) through 35 total appearances this season (14-18-32).

SECOND STAR - ERIK KARLSSON, D, SAN JOSE SHARKS

Karlsson paced the NHL with seven assists in four outings (0-7-7) to extend his assist/point streak to 13 games dating to Dec. 3 (2-19-21) and guide the Sharks (12-20-7, 31 points) to a 1-2-1 week. He collected two helpers in each of his first two contests, a 6-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks Dec. 27 and a 4-3 overtime defeat versus the Philadelphia Flyers Dec. 29. Karlsson then added one assist in a 5-2 loss to the Dallas Stars Dec. 31 before closing the week with two more helpers in a 5-2 comeback win against the Chicago Blackhawks Jan. 1. The 32-year-old Karlsson, who now owns the longest point streak in San Jose history, became the sixth defenseman in League history with an assist streak of at least 13 contests. He shares first place in the NHL with 40 helpers in 39 total games this season while topping League blueliners in both goals (13) and points (53).

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THIRD STAR - ANTTI RAANTA, G, CAROLINA HURRICANES

Raanta went 3-0-0 with a 1.30 goals-against average, .944 save percentage and two shutouts to backstop the Hurricanes (25-6-6, 56 points) to a perfect week as they extended their winning streak to 11 games and point streak to 17 contests (15-0-2) - both franchise records. He opened the week with consecutive shutouts, making 24 saves in a 3-0 victory against the Chicago Blackhawks Dec. 27 and turning aside 19 shots in a 4-0 triumph over the Florida Panthers Dec. 30. Raanta then recorded 24 saves - and denied all three shootout attempts - in a 5-4 victory against the New Jersey Devils Jan. 1 to match a career high with his sixth straight win dating to Dec. 17 (also March 19 - April 3, 2018 w/ ARI). The 33-year-old Raanta has appeared in 15 total games this season, going 10-2-2 with a 2.62 goals-against average, .897 save percentage and two shutouts.